Hemingford Arms, London

The star feature of the pub is the bulbous ornate white mahogany stillion incorporating a glazed-in publican’s office with pedimented doors front and rear, and featuring carved lion's heads.

This two storey Victorian pub underwent a refurbishment in the early 20th century which provided some impressive fittings. It was built in 1855 for a Mr RJ Huntley and acquired by Meux & Co in the late 19th century.   Exterior doors show that it originally consisted of four rooms; the disused corner doors still display ‘Saloon Bar’ on the glazing. Within, the partitions have long since gone. There is a spacious promontory servery with an old raked counter fronted with matchboard panelling supported by sinuous fluted uprights. The shelving in the stillion is supported by slender pillars and at each end are outsized fluted corbels. In recent times it’s been topped up with an additional level.

Partially obscured by the stillion is a rich ensemble of joinery at the rear of the servery: twin fluted pillars support a canopy with a decorative frieze which houses a clock. Sheltering beneath this is an elaborate doorway to private quarters and some shelving. There are exceptional full height vestibules with multiple etched glass panels on both the Hemingford Road and Offord Road sides of the pub. A narrow glazed screen etched with the pub’s name and a crest has been transplanted from elsewhere. Three slender columns with ornate capitals support the impressive matchboard panelled ceiling, from which a multitude of bric-a-brac dangles.The left-hand side of the pub is dignified by a Victorian cast iron fireplace.

An elegant staircase on the right-hand side leads to a function room which has a bar counter that might be old (1950s?) and a wood surround fireplace that is possibly Victorian.